Real-time patron-activity information system

ABSTRACT

An activity-information system is provided. The system comprises an activity-information server and a plurality of activity-information devices. Activity-information devices may be proprietor devices (e.g., for bar owners/staff), affiliate devices (e.g., for club promoters or taxi drivers), or end-user devices (e.g., for patrons). The activity-information devices provide activity information (such as, a user&#39;s location or presence at a venue or within a district) to the activity-information server, which stores the activity information in an activity-information repository. The activity-information server then determines activity levels for venues and districts, which may be transmitted to devices. The activity-information device then may display activity level in an activity-information interface. The activity-information interface may comprise a map with highlighting and icons indicative of activity levels for districts and venues, respectively. In addition, activity-information interface may comprise a display area for display marketing information (such as promotions and coupons) related to venues.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/846,795, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/050,159,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention provides a system for determining and providingactivity levels for venues (e.g., bars and restaurants). Moreparticularly, activity-information devices detect and provide activityinformation (such as a user's presence at a venue or within a “bardistrict) to an activity-information server. The activity informationserver determines activity levels (i.e., generally indicative ofpopularity) for venues and districts, which may be transmitted toactivity-information devices for display in an activity-informationinterface.

BACKGROUND

Bars and restaurants are ubiquitous. Bar districts in cities often havedozens of bars and restaurants from which patrons can choose. Patronstypically desire to frequent bars and restaurants that have a high levelof activity, i.e., generally speaking, bars and restaurants that arepopular or “happening.” On the other hand, some people prefer to go tobars and restaurants that have a low level of activity, i.e., generallyuncrowded. Determining which bars or restaurants to visit can bechallenging given the large number of venues from which to choose.Promotions or events at bars and restaurants are also importantconsiderations for patrons when deciding on which venue to frequent.

Numerous websites and mobile applications provide listings of variousbars and restaurants. Typically, such systems provide lengthy listing ofall bars and restaurants in a metropolitan area. A disadvantage of suchsystems is that it takes a long time for a user to review the lengthylist of venues, and even then, the information provided is notsufficient to meaningfully differentiate venues. Another disadvantage ofsuch systems is that they rely exclusively on manually-entered data thatis infrequently updated. Thus, the data is often outdated andinaccurate. Still yet another disadvantage of such systems is that theydo not provide information on bar districts or areas. Thus, such systemshave limited utility.

Accordingly, patrons lack useful means for determining what are the“hot” districts and the “happening” venues within a metropolitan area.Patrons thus resort to word-of-mouth methods, e.g., text messaging orcalling a friend and asking for recommendations. However, suchword-of-mouth methods are inefficient the requesting party must manuallyprovide information on their criteria. Word-of-mouth methods are furtherdisadvantageous as they are only capable of providing information on ahandful of venues of which a friend has knowledge. And, unless thefriend happens to be present at the recommended venue, any informationprovided does not reflect current conditions. Word-of-mouth methods arealso unreliable. The friends often does not know the name or location ofthe recommended venue. Moreover, such methods are unavailable when mostneeded and desired, e.g., when a person is travelling or vacationing toa new city.

As such, there is a need for a system for providing patrons withinformation on whether a venue is “happening” or uncrowded. Further,there is a need for such a system to provide accurate information thatreflect current levels of activity. Still further, there is a need forsuch a system to provide information on promotions and events. Stillfurther, there is a need for such a system to provide information onvenues in a useful and intuitive manner that allows patrons to identifynearby venues and districts. Still further, there is a need for robustsystem that uses real-time data from a plurality of sources.

SUMMARY

The present invention(s) provides an activity-information system. Thesystem comprises an activity-information server and a plurality ofactivity-information devices. Activity-information devices may beproprietor devices (e.g., for bar owners/staff), affiliate devices(e.g., for club promoters or taxi drivers), or end-user devices (e.g.,for patrons). The activity-information devices transmitactivity-information related to venues (e.g., bars and restaurants) anddistricts to the activity-information server, which stores activityinformation in an activity-information repository. Activity informationincludes, inter alia, location of a user or whether the user is presentat a particular venue or within a particular district. Theactivity-information server then determines activity levels for venuesand districts from the activity information and may transmit activitylevels to activity-information devices. The activity-information devicethen may display activity levels in an activity-information interface.The activity-information interface may comprise a map with highlightingand icons indicative of activity levels for districts and venues. Inaddition, activity-information interface may comprise a display area fordisplay marketing information (such as promotions and coupons) relatedto venues.

In the preferred embodiment, the activity level is indicative of thetotal number of people present at a venue or in a district. In otherembodiments, the activity level is indicative the number of patronspresent relative the capacity of a venue. In still other embodiments,the activity level is indicative of how “hot” or popular a venue is.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an activity-information system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of anactivity-information device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance withprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of anactivity-information interface exemplified being displayed on theactivity-information device in accordance with principles of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context ofa particular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosedherein. Additionally, as used herein, the term “substantially” is to beconstrued as a term of approximation.

It is noted that, unless indicated otherwise, all functions describedherein may be performed by a processor such as a microprocessor, acontroller, a microcontroller, an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), an electronic data processor, a computer, or the like,in accordance with code, such as program code, software, integratedcircuits, and/or the like that are coded to perform such functions. Aprocessor, server, or device means one or more processors, servers, ordevices, respectively, as is understood by one of ordinary skill in theart. Furthermore, it is considered that the design, development, andimplementation details of all such code would be apparent to a personhaving ordinary skill in the art based upon a review of the presentdescription of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, activity-information system 10 is provided inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Activity-information system 10 comprises activity-information server100. Activity-information server 100 is communicatively coupled toactivity-information device(s) 200, which may comprise end-userdevice(s) 200 a, proprietor device(s) 200 b, and third-party device(s)200 c. Activity-information device 200 provides activity information toactivity-information server 100 via communications link (shown by thearrow A). Communications link may be provided over the Internet and/orcellular data network.

Activity-information server 100 comprises server 110,activity-information repository 120, and (optional) affiliate interface130. Server 110 processes activity information receivable fromactivity-information devices 200. Activity-information repository 120then stores the activity-information. Optionally, affiliate interface130 is provided for receiving additional activity information directlyfrom affiliate systems (not shown). For example, a taxi company mayreport activity information directly to activity-information server 100through affiliate interface 130. Alternatively, arestaurant-reservations system may provide activity information (e.g.,number of tables booked or available for booking).

Server 110, using activity information receivable fromactivity-information devices 200, determines activity levels for venuesand districts as described in more detail below. The activity levels maythen be stored in activity-information repository 120. Server 110 alsomay transmit activity levels (and certain activity information) toactivity-information devices 200.

Additionally, activity-information server 100 may receive promotionalinformation (such as coupons, event information, etc.) (also consideredactivity information) from activity-information devices 200 (e.g.,proprietor devices 200 b). Promotional information may be also be storedin activity-information repository 120. Promotional may be provided toactivity-information devices 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 3, reference numerals340 a. 340 b, and 340 c).

Referring to FIG. 2, activity-information device 200 is provided inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Activity-information device 200 comprises the following hardware andsoftware: communication interface 202 (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, andEthernet); processor 204; storage device (or memory) 206; positioningdevice 208 (e.g., GPS or network-based location); activity-informationclient 210; display 212; camera 214; microphone 216; speaker 218; andoperating system (not shown). Activity-information client 210 maycomprise one or more of end-user client 210 a (for end-user device 200a), proprietor client 210 b (for proprietor device 200 b), or affiliateclient 210 c (for affiliate device 200 c) depending on the type ofactivity-information device 200 the device is. Activity-informationclient 210 also includes functionality for providing anactivity-information interface (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In a preferredembodiment, activity-information device 200 comprises software runningon hardware, i.e., activity-information client 210 implemented as anapplication running on a smartphone (e.g., an Android™ device or anApple iPhone™).

Activity-information device 200 detects and transmits activityinformation to activity-information server 100. Activity informationprovided may include the location of activity-information device 200(thus the user), which may be provided by positioning device 208. Inother embodiments, activity-information device 200 may determine whetherthe device (thus the user) is at a particular venue or within a districtbased on the location, and then transmit activity information indicativeof the user's presence therein. In addition, activity-information device200 may detect ambient noise and light levels using microphone 216 andcamera 214, respectively, and may also be reported. Advantageously, theambient noise and light levels may be detected when activity-informationclient 210 is in use (such as when a user is redeeming a coupon), thus,advantageously more accurate data may be provided. Such activityinformation is preferably detected and reported automatically, but mayalso be initiated manually by a user.

Activity-information device 200 may also report activity informationmanually entered by a user, more particularly by accessing theactivity-information interface through activity-information client 210.Such manually-entered activity information includes, e.g.: length ofline for entry at a bar, delay getting a table at a restaurant, numberof patrons present at a venue, parking availability, etc. Similarly, auser may report activity information for a district, e.g.: number ofpeople walking around a bar district, traffic along a strip, wait fortaxis, or availability of parking. Additionally, a user may useactivity-information device 200 to take pictures and video using camera214, which may be transmitted (or uploaded) to activity-informationserver 100 using communications interface 202.

Activity-information device 200 preferably provides activity informationwith reference to a particular venue and/or district. The venue ordistrict is preferably determined automatically based on locationinformation provided by a positioning device 208 (i.e., GPS or networkbased detection), by manually entry by the user, or by other activity(e.g., redemption of a coupon at a particular venue). In otherembodiments, activity-information server 100 may determine the relevantvenue and district for received activity information based locationinformation provided or other information (such as the redemption of acoupon at a venue or association of the device with a particular venue).

In the preferred embodiment, the above described activity-informationmay be provided by each type of activity-information device 200, i.e.,end-user devices 200 a, proprietor devices 200 b, and affiliate device200 c. In other embodiments, only certain activity information isprovided by each type of activity-information device 200.

More particularly, in certain embodiments, proprietor device 200 ballows a proprietor of a venue (or their staff) to create new venues inactivity-information repository 120 and to provide or report activityinformation about the proprietor's venue and surrounding district toactivity-information server 100. Activity information providable byproprietor devices 200 b includes, but is not limited to: number ofpatrons present; number of bars open; number of tables available andwait times; number of waiters/waitresses, bartenders, or staff on duty;parking information (e.g., valet wait times); expected crowds; and salesinformation. Such information may be manually input and reported usingproprietor client 200 b, or automatically reported through affiliateinterface 130 by integration with a point-of-sale system or areservation system. In addition, ambient noise and light levels at thevenue may also be detected (i.e., using microphone 216 and camera 214,respectively) and reported automatically or manually. Additionally,proprietors may use proprietor device 200 b to upload pictures andvideos of venues and districts to activity-information server 100through, e.g., using camera 214. Proprietors may also include additionalactivity information describing such pictures and video, such as“crowded,” “seats available,” etc. This activity information provided byproprietor client 200 b is provided with reference to a particularvenue. The venue may be determined automatically based on locationinformation provided by positioning device (GPS) 208, manually enteredby the proprietor, or determined based on the proprietor's registeredvenue.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, proprietor device 200 b isconfigured to be a “hot spot” that provides a wireless networkconnection to other devices (e.g., a Wi-Fi “hot spot”). When proprietordevice 200 b is so configured, preferably, proprietor client 210 bautomatically transmits connection information (e.g., SID andpassphrase), or access credentials, associated with the hot spot toactivity-information server 100. Alternatively, connection informationmay be manually inputted using activity-information interface and thentransmitted. When activity-information devices 200 are within range ofthe hot spot, activity-information devices 200 detect the hot spot.Preferably, activity-information 210 (e.g., end-user client 210 a)requests the connection information from activity-information server100, which is then provided to activity-information device 200.Activity-information client 210 then automatically configurescommunication interface 202 of activity-information device 200 toconnect to the hot spot. Each request for connection information mayconstitute activity information (i.e., presence of a user at the venue)from which activity-information server 100 may determine an activitylevel for the venue. Alternatively, proprietor device 200 b transmitsactivity information comprising the number devices connected to the hotspot to activity-information server 100. In yet another embodiment, anetworked-device (such as a router or computer) is used to perform allthe functions of the proprietor device 200 b. This embodiment providesan accurate count of activity-information device 200 present at thevenue without the need for positioning device 208 being active. And,this embodiment advantageously provides user's with a networkconnection, thereby incentivizing user's activity-information system 10.That is, for example, it incentivizes users to install anactivity-information client 210 (i.e., an application) on their smartphone.

Using activity-information interface of proprietor client 200 b,proprietors may also create promotional items (e.g., for coupons andevents), which are transmitted to activity-information server 100.Activity-information server 100 stores promotional items inactivity-information repository 120 and may provide them to end-userdevices 200 a and affiliate devices 200 c. For example, proprietor couldcreate a promotional item for a coupon for end-users to receive $1 offdrinks or for a promotion for college night or marketing a bandperforming at the venue (see, e.g., FIG. 3, reference numerals 340 a,340 b, and 340 c). Other promotional items could be designed toincentive third parties, e.g., a $1 cash incentive to taxi drivers todrop-off patrons at their venue.

Affiliate device 200 c (comprising affiliate client 210 c) may be usedby affiliates or third-parties (such as taxi drivers or club promoters)to provide activity information to activity-information server 100. Forexample, a taxi company may be an affiliate and provide activityinformation regarding passenger drop-offs and pick-ups locations. Or,the taxi company may report locations of taxis using positioning device208 or, alternatively, the presence of taxis at a particular venue orwithin a district. Using affiliate device 200 c, affiliates may alsomanually provide information on crowd levels at a venue or within adistrict as described above.

In certain embodiments, such as where an affiliate is a promoter,affiliate device 200 c reports ambient noise and light levels at aparticular location (e.g., at a venue). Such activity information may bereported manually or automatically. An affiliate using affiliate device200 c (more particularly by accessing affiliate client 210 c) may alsomanually input activity information, e.g.: length of line at a bar,delay getting a table at a restaurant, number of patrons present at avenue, or parking availability. In addition, an affiliate may reportactivity information for a district, e.g., number of people walkingaround a bar district, traffic along a strip, wait times for taxis, oravailability of parking. Additionally, an affiliate may use affiliatedevice 200 c to upload pictures and videos of venues and districts toactivity-information server 100.

Activity information provided by affiliate device 200 c is preferablyprovided with reference to a particular venue or district. The venueand/or district may be determined automatically based on locationinformation provided by a positioning device 208, manually entered bythe affiliate, or determined based other activity information (e.g., theaffiliate being associated with a particular venue). Alternatively,activity-information server 110 may associate activity informationprovidable from affiliate device 200 c with a venue and/or district.Using affiliate device 200 c, affiliates may also receive and redeempromotional items offered by proprietors.

Preferably, end-user devices 200 a (comprising end-user client 210 a)include functionality to automatically detect and report activityinformation comprising their the location of end-user device 200 a (thusthe user), which may be provided by positioning device 208. In otherembodiments, end-user device 200 a may determine whether the device(thus the user) is at a particular venue or within a district based onthe location, and then transmit activity information indicative of theuser's presence thereat. Activity information is detected and reportedautomatically or, in some embodiments, by manual entry by a user. Inaddition, the ambient noise and light levels may be detected usingmicrophone 216 and camera 214, respectively, at a particular location(e.g., at a venue) may also be reported as described above.Activity-information client 210 preferably allows a user to disableautomatic detecting and reporting of activity information.

End-user devices 200 a preferably also include activity-informationinterface 300 for displaying activity information (including activitylevels) as discussed below (see FIG. 3). In addition, using end-userclient 210 a, an end user may provide feedback (i.e., rate or evaluate)with respect to other activity information, which itself is activityinformation that is transmitted to activity-information server 100. Forexample, crowd levels reported by proprietors or purported pictures of avenue may be rated for accuracy or inaccuracy. This advantageouslyallows activity-information server 100 to more accurately weight thevalue of activity-information, thus more accurately determine activitylevels as described below. And, this further protects the integrity ofactivity-information system 10. Thus, this also advantageously protectsthe integrity of activity-information system 10.

The operation of activity-information system 10 is now described withreference with FIGS. 1-3. Activity-information devices 200 detect andtransmit activity information to activity-information server 100 asdescribed above.

Preferably, activity-information device 200 provide user-identifyinginformation (or information identifying the activity-information device)with activity information to activity-information server 100.Activity-information server 100 may use the identifying information toweight the activity information provided. In the preferred embodiment,activity-information server 100 automatically identifies “super” usersand increases the weighting of activity information provided by suchusers. This is advantageous as certain users are socially active, andthus, presumed to patronize “hot” or popular venues.Activity-information server 100 may automatically identify frequentusers or patrons frequently visiting venues automatically as “super”users based on their frequency of activity information received fromtheir respective activity-information devices 200. Preferably,activity-information server 100 stores only total activity informationprovided by a user for identifying super users. But, it removes allidentifying information from actual activity information provided beforestoring the “weighted” activity information in activity-informationrepository 120. In alternate embodiments, activity-information device200 removes all identifying information from the activity informationprior to transmission to activity-information server 100. Thus,activity-information system 10 advantageously mitigates users' privacyconcerns.

Activity-information server 100 (more particularly server 110) receivesthe activity information and stores it in activity-informationrepository 120. Activity-information repository 120 is stored on astorage device(s), which may be one or more of a relational database,RDF repositories, file storage, etc. Storage device may be local or acloud based system provided by a third-party. In the preferredembodiment, activity-information server 100 receives information fromend-users devices 200 a. In other embodiments, activity-informationserver 100 also advantageously receives activity information fromaffiliates devices 200 c (e.g., taxi companies or promoters) andproprietor devices 200 b (including their employees) who have lessprivacy concerns and desire to provide activity information formarketing purposes. Activity information may also be received fromaffiliate interface 130 directly from affiliate systems.

Activity-information server 100 automatically creates new districts andremaps existing districts as venues are added and removed and activityinformation indicates changing patterns of user behavior. Districts maybe determined based on proximity of various venues. A district willtypically comprises a group of venues within walking distance (in venuedense areas) and a short drive (in rural areas). The exact distancecutoffs may vary greatly by location, and may be modified by additionalinformation. Geographic features (such as freeways, rivers, andgreenbelts) may be considered by activity-information server 100 whendefining districts. Optionally, patron movements between venues in thesame night may be used to determine venues within the same districts,and thus better define districts. This may be determined by analyzingactivity information showing locations and movements ofactivity-information devices 200. For example, frequent taxi pickups atone bar and drop at another nearby bar indicates the two bars should bein the same district.

Districts may also be predetermined. This is particularly useful inmetropolitan areas where districts are well-known and well-defined.Examples of such well-known districts include: The Strip in Las Vegas,Nev.; Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill.; Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington,Ind.; Broad Ripple in Indianapolis, Ind.; Franklin Street in ChapelHill, N.C.; Sixth Street in Austin, Tex.; and Uptown in Dallas, Tex.Similarly, business districts, where bars/restaurants tend to have amore happy hour crowd can similar be identified manually, orautomatically based on substantial activity information being withintypical happy hour times (i.e., Monday through Fridays between 5 pm to 8pm).

In alternate embodiments, districts comprise sub-districts, whichprovide an additional level of granularity. In still other embodiments,districts may be grouped for purposes of displaying based on the zoomlevel being displayed by in activity-information interface 300 (see FIG.3)

Venues may be manually added by system administrators or by end-users,proprietors, and affiliates using activity-information clients 210 a,210 b, and 210 c, respectively. In certain embodiments, only proprietorclients 210 b may add new venues. In other embodiments,activity-information server 100 may be create venues automatically basedon detecting relatively high activity information at a location. Thelocation then may be cross-referenced with data related to the addressto determine if it is a residential or commercial location area.Additional information about the potential venue then may beautomatically retrieved from public sources (such as telephonedirectories) to determine if a venue should be added and provideinformation about the venue (e.g., name, phone number, official address,etc.). In certain embodiments, private venues may also be automaticallycreated by activity-information server 100. For example, a particularapartment complex may be identified has a “hot” property and added as aprivate venue.

In the preferred embodiment, activity-information server 100 (moreparticularly server 110) processes relevant activity informationreceived from activity-information devices 200 into activity parameters,which are stored in activity-information repository 120. The activityinformation may be weighted during the processing step. In alternateembodiments, activity-information devices 200 may perform processing andweighting of activity information. Next, activity-information server 100determines activity-levels for venues and districts as described below.In alternate embodiments, activity-information server 100 performsweighting when determining activity levels.

A baseline activity level (AL_(b)), based on past or historical activitylevels, is first determined. Preferably, past activity levels are storedin activity-information repository 120 and may be retrieved.Activity-information server 110 takes a weighted average of pastactivity information for the same day of the week at the same time. Inaddition, holiday information is considered. For example, for New YearsEve, Halloween, etc. the baseline activity level would be determinedbased on historical activity levels for the same holiday. Where aholiday is a fixed day of the week, e.g., the Wednesday beforeThanksgiving, activity levels for the prior weeks are weighted lowerthan for the activity information for the previous holiday. On the otherhand, where the holiday is a fixed date, e.g., July 4th or Halloween,the activity information for the prior weeks and the activityinformation for the previous holiday may be equally weighted. This isadvantageous as patron activity often varies greatly depending on theday of the week that the holiday falls on. This is particularly relevantwhen such a holiday is not a government holiday and many people may haveto work the next day. For example, when Halloween falls on a Saturday,activity-information server 100 would with predict higher activitylevels than when Halloween falls on a Monday. In contrast,activity-information server 100 would predict that the patron activityfor the Wednesday before Thanksgiving would be approximately the same asthe year before.

Preferably, the baseline activity level is determined based on thefollowing equation:AL _(w)=[(n)AL ₁+(n−1)AL ₂ . . . (1)AL _(n)]/[n(n+1)/2],  (1)

-   -   where AL_(w)=weekly baseline activity level, AL_(n)=activity        level n weeks in the past, n=number of weeks to go back;        AL _(h)=(m)AL ₁+(m−1)AL ₂. . . (1)AL _(m)/[m(m+1)/2],  (2)    -   where AL_(h)=holiday baseline activity level, AL_(m)=activity        level m holidays in the past, m=number of holidays to go back;        AL _(b)=[w ₁ AL _(w) +w ₂ AL _(h)]/[w ₁ +w ₂],  (3)    -   where AL_(b)=baseline activity level, w₁=weekly baseline        activity level weight, and w₂=holiday baseline activity level        weight.        Preferably, n=10; m=3; w₁=1.0 (for non-holidays), 0.5 (for        fixed-date holidays), or 0.2 (for fixed-day holidays); and        w₂=0.0 (for non-holidays), 0.5 (for fixed-date holidays), or 0.8        (for fixed-day holidays). Other equations may also be used.

Activity-information server 100 then adjusts the baseline activity levelbased on real-time or current activity information (AL_(c)) provided byactivity-information devices 200, preferably by taking a weightedaverage of the two values. Preferably, the current activity level(AL_(e)) is determined according to the following equations:AL _(c)=[w ₁ AP ₁ +w ₂ AP ₂ + . . . +w _(n) AP _(n)]/[w ₁ +w ₂ + . . .+w _(n)],  (4)

-   -   where AP_(n)=an activity parameter; w_(n)=weight for AP_(n).        An activity parameter refers to a sum or average of a particular        type of activity information received for a particular venue        over a particular time period, preferably the last one hour. For        example, AP₁ could be an activity parameter for the number of        people at a venue. It may be determined by totaling all        activity-information devices 200 that provided location        information within the last one hour that fell within the        venue's geographic footprint. AP₁ may then be normalized or        scaled. For example, the raw number of total users at the venue        could be scaled to a value between 1 to 10 based on        predetermined or dynamically determined thresholds (such as        based on capacity of the venue). The weight, w₁, may be selected        for scaling and importance of the activity-information data        point. Preferably, the number of users present is weighted        heavily. Further activity parameters are provided, i.e., for the        other activity information provided by activity-information        devices 200 as discussed herein. This includes activity level        for the district a venue is in, actual numbers of patron in a        district or at a venue, redemption of coupons, and the other        information reported by users. Also, activity parameters for        activity information reported by proprietors and affiliates are        provided. Activity parameters for weather and traffic        information may also be provided in certain embodiments.

Activity-information server 100 also weights activity information byrelevance. In certain embodiment, end-users may rate activityinformation provided others. For example, a proprietor may pictures andvideo of his venue. If such is inaccurate, end-users may rate it so andactivity-information server 100 then discounts such activity informationprovided by the proprietor and lowers the activity level for the venue.

In other embodiments, activity-information server 100 also weightsactivity information based on particular users, e.g., activityinformation from a “super” user will more heavily weighted. In otherembodiments, other characteristics are used for weighting, such asgender, sexual preference, age, etc.

If activity information being received from a district or venue is lessthan past activity information, then the baseline activity level will beadjusted downwards. Similarly, if activity information being receivedfrom the district or venue indicates a higher activity level thanexpected, the base line activity level is adjusted upwards. This isadvantageous as historical information alone will often fail toaccurately predict the activity level. For example, if a weather eventoccurs (e.g., a snow storm) activity level may be much lower thanhistorical activity information alone would predict. Or, a city wideevent occurs (e.g., Super Bowl being held in the city) may occur thatdrastically increases activity levels. Often such activity effectingevents have a disparate impact on venues, and as such, use of real-timeactivity information advantageously provides more accurate activitylevels. Further, use of historical information is advantageous asreal-time activity information may be limited, especially for ruralarea, and as such, historical activity information provides additionaldata points for more accurate prediction of activity levels.

Also, the activity level for a district will be adjusted based on allactivity level within the district and venues therein. That is, anactivity parameter corresponding to the district is provided whencomputing the current activity level for a venue within the district(see Equation 4, supra). Similarly, the activity level for a venue willbe adjusted based on the activity level for the district.

In other embodiments, districts and venues may also have multipleactivity levels. This is advantageous as certain districts and venue mayhave distinct clientele, such as based on sexual preference or agegroups.

Activity-information server 100 thus computes in real-time activitylevels for districts and venues. The term real-time as used herein meansreal-time or near real-time. Activity-information server 100 preferablyupdates (if necessary) the real-time activity levels in real-time or atleast once every 15 minutes. Activity-information server 100 may alsogenerate predicted activity levels for a future time/date similarly asbaseline activity levels are generated as described above.Activity-information server 100 preferably stores the activity levels inactivity-information repository 120. In other embodiments,activity-information server 100 only computes activity levels whennecessary (i.e., when a request for the venue/district is received froman activity-information device 200).

Activity-information devices 200 may request activity levels fromactivity-information server 100. The request may be for current, future(predicted), or past activity levels for a particular venue or districtor generally for geographic region. When a request is received,activity-information server 100 retrieves (or generates) the appropriateactivity levels and transmits the activity levels to the requestingactivity-information device 200. In certain embodiments,activity-information server 110 may also provide activity information(such as number of patrons, wait-times, etc.) directly toactivity-information devices 200, preferably upon request.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment ofactivity information interface 300 is exemplified being displayed ondisplay 212 of activity-information device 200. Map 310 of a region isdisplayed. Map 310 is exemplified having activity levels for districtsdisplayed as highlighting 320 a and 320 b and activity levels for venuesdisplayed as icons 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c. Districts with a highactivity level are exemplified by red highlighting 320 a; districts withmoderate activity level are exemplified by yellow highlighting 320 b;and districts with low to zero activity level are exemplified by nohighlighting. Activity-information interface 300 displays icons 330 forvenues, which may vary based on type of venue. “Hot” venues, i.e., witha high activity level, are exemplified by icons with flames 330 a;venues with moderate activity levels are exemplified by icons with smoke330 b; and venues with low to zero activity level are exemplified byicons with snowflakes or without any emphasis 330 c. Other means fordifferentiating between activity levels may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

Preferably, activity levels have more values (e.g., 0 to 100) than maybe distinctly displayed. In which case, activity-information client 210may determine the appropriate display characteristics based onpredetermined thresholds. Preferably, activity-information client 210may determine the thresholds dynamically, e.g., based on number ofvenues/districts being displayed within activity-information interface300. For example, icons with flames 330 a may be displayed only for thetop 10% of venues based their activity levels within display 212. Inother embodiments, distinct values for an activity level (e.g., 1, 2, or3) may correspond on a one-to-one basis to the number of distinctdisplayable icons/highlighting.

Promotion and coupons may also be displayed in promotional display area340. Promotional item 340 a, 340 b, and 340 c exemplify three suchpromotional items. A user may select such promotional items to redeemthem.

The number of, and manner in which, districts and venues displayed arepreferably dependent on the zoom level of the map and available data.For example, at a high-zoom level, only districts may be display andvenues are omitted, or districts may be grouped for display purposes. Onthe other hand, at low-zoom levels, venues and sub-districts may bedisplayed, or districts highlighting may be omitted altogether.

Preferably, filter button 350 is provided within activity-informationinterface 300. Using filter button 350, a user may filter or restrictthe venues and districts displayed within activity-information interface300. For example, a user may choose display only night clubs or onlyrestaurants.

Activity-information system 10 has numerous advantages over conventionalsystems. Activity-information system 10 advantageously uses real-timeinformation and thus provides more accurate information regarding patronactivity levels. Activity-information system 10 also advantageously usesinformation from many sources. Advantageously, such sources of activityinformation includes proprietors and affiliates who are incentivized toprovide activity information. As such, activity-information system 10 isnot solely reliant on end-user reported activity information, which maybe limited by privacy concerns among other reasons.

In yet other embodiments, user identifying information is removed beforetransmission or removed by activity-information server 100 prior tostorage in activity-information repository 120. Thus,activity-information system 10 advantageously assuages users' privacyconcerns.

It is understood that the present invention may take many forms andembodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in theforegoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of theinvention.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain ofits preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosedare illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range ofvariations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplatedin the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of thepresent invention may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features. Many such variations and modifications may be consideredobvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review ofthe foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An activity-information system comprising:an activity-information repository means configured for storing activityinformation related to a plurality of venues, a plurality of districts,or both; an activity-information server means communicatively coupled tothe activity-information repository means, the activity-informationserver means being configured for determining activity levels for theplurality of venues, the plurality of districts, or both; wherein theactivity-information server means is further configured to: receiveactivity information from activity-information device means, store thereceived activity information in the activity-information repositorymeans, update, if necessary, the activity levels in real-time, andtransmit the activity levels to activity-information device means; andwherein the activity-information server means is further configured to:store access credentials associated with hot spots at the plurality ofvenues, the plurality of districts, or both in the activity-informationrepository means, receive requests for access credentials fromactivity-information device means, transmit to activity-informationdevice means access credentials responsive to the requests for accesscredentials, and update activity levels at least in part based on thenumber of requests received for access credentials.
 2. Aactivity-information system comprising: an activity-informationrepository means configured for storing activity information related toa plurality of venues, a plurality of districts, or both; anactivity-information server means communicatively coupled to theactivity-information repository mean, the activity-information servermean being configured for determining activity levels for the pluralityof venues, the plurality of districts, or both; wherein theactivity-information server mean is further configured to: receiveactivity information from activity-information device means, store thereceived activity information in the activity-information repositorymeans, update, if necessary, the activity levels at least every 15minutes, and transmit the activity levels to activity-information devicemeans; and wherein the activity-information server means is furtherconfigured to: store access credentials associated with hot spots at theplurality of venues, the plurality of district, or both in theactivity-information repository means, receive requests for accesscredentials from activity-information device means, transmit toactivity-information device means access credentials responsive to therequests for access credentials, and update activity levels at least inpart based on the number of requests received for access credentials.